On a long walk across the fields and tracks around the local villages, Steve and I were privileged to watch several hares – we counted at least seven – chasing around, boxing and mating. These are the first we’ve seen, in any number, this year. They were enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company and were pretty well ignoring the sight of us and our dog, Ned, whom we kept close by so they wouldn’t be disturbed.

There is something about a hare, which seems to embody an untrammeled wildness, a free soul. There is nothing cute about them. Their faces seem ancient and full of wisdom. Many of the old religions saw hares as representing the circle of life. Some believed that hares could re-incarnate, some suggested that it embodied both masculine and feminine elements. In geographically diverse cultures it has been associated with the moon. In Eyptian hieroglyphs, the verb ‘to be’ was represented by a hare crouching over water, representing life/energy. The Easter bunny is in fact a hare, ‘laying’ Easter eggs or the life force. As modern paganism has begun to make sense to so many people the ancient image of the hare has become treasured again.

Some time ago I wrote a poem for the hares we see around our fields.

Hare SongO Hare on the field, leap for me,Leap to the sun – whereShe’ll cradle your babies,Dip them in stardustAnd silver their hair.

O Hare on the field, dance for me,Dance rings in the grass;Take garlands of hawthornTo the lad who is missingHis doe eyed lass.

O Hare on the field, skip for me,Skip down through the lanes;Call for the girl childWho’ll pet you and dress youIn white daisy chains.

O Hare on the field, run for me,Run through the mazeOf the sheaves and the reapers,With the sun on your pawsIn the dust filled days.

O Hare on the field, gaze for me,Gaze deep in the stream,Where secrets are swirlingAnd with a bright trinketYou’ll conjure a dream.

O Hare on the field, stay for me,Stay on the hillside;Watch over the cottageWhen clouds hide the moonAnd the Wild Hunt rides.

O Hare on the field, summon me,Summon me tonight;The woods are in darknessBut whisper a welcomeAs we pass out of sight.

O Hare on the field, walk with me,Walk facing the moonBy rowan and ash tree,Till I see through your eyesAnd our shadows are one.

Author

Jude Jones is a co-founder of Saxonhouse with husband Steve. For many years a teacher of English and Drama, both in mainstream secondary schools and in specialist schools, she is now semi-retired. The new venture with Demeter House School means she does not yet completely have to give up teaching!

To Jude, Saxonhouse is both a project, a great venue for events, teaching and celebration, and a place of beauty and peace.